Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

For Montgomery City Councilman C.C. Calhoun, the city's proposed smoking ordinance is about more than just protecting the public from the dangers of cigarettes.

"My wife should not be exposed to second-hand smoke," Calhoun said. "That's what I want to affect."

Calhoun said that on Tuesday, members of the city's Health, Education & Recreation Standing Committee met at Montgomery City Hall to hear concerns from citizens regarding the ordinance, which proposes to ban all smoking in most city buildings, including private clubs and most bars. In addition, the ordinance would also prohibit smoking within 20 feet of business entrances, public transportation stations or playgrounds.

Calhoun, who is sponsoring the ordinance, said there were not enough members present to have a quorum Tuesday, but he still allowed members of the audience to speak and express their support or aversion to the ordinance.

"We all agree that smoking is bad for your health," Calhoun said. "That's not an issue, but the thing is how do we affect the business, but not be in the business of running people out of business within the city of Montgomery."

Calhoun said several issues were brought up Tuesday, including the use of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes. In April, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a set of regulations for e-cigarettes, which include banning sales to minors and health warnings.

Calhoun said another issue brought up was that the government should not mandate where people can and cannot smoke, but that it should be personal choice.

"One of the valid points that came up was that it should be business owners right to say whether he wants to be a smoking establishment or a non-smoking establishment," Calhoun said.

Calhoun said there are still a lot of things that need to be done before the ordinance is brought before the city council for a vote, such as whether or not to grandfather certain businesses that already allow smoking or not.

"We want a smoke-free city, but like I say, the devil is in the details and what we're trying to do is lock down the details, what we're going to affect and not keep in Montgomery," Calhoun said.

Calhoun said another committee meeting would likely be held before the council would vote on it next year.

"I don't see this coming up until around the first of the year, January or February, before it is up for a vote," Calhoun said.

Mayor Todd Strange, who was present at the meeting, said the final version of the ordinance should keep the best interests of Montgomery residents in mind.

"At the end of the day, what our job is, the council and myself, is to balance the interests and the rights of both the smokers and the nonsmokers," Strange said.